Hurricane Melissa is closing in on Jamaica as a powerful Category 4 storm, with officials warning that parts of the island could face “catastrophic” flooding and destruction unlike anything in the nation’s history.
As of Sunday afternoon, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported Melissa was packing maximum sustained winds of 140 mph while moving slowly west at 5 mph. The storm’s center was located about 110 miles south of Kingston and is expected to strengthen into a Category 5 hurricane overnight before making landfall late Monday or early Tuesday.
Whether or not it reaches Category 5, meteorologists agree that Melissa will bring devastating conditions. “This could be the strongest storm Jamaica has ever faced,” said Evan Thompson, principal director of Jamaica’s Meteorological Service.
The NHC forecast predicts between 15 to 30 inches of rainfall across much of Jamaica and southern Hispaniola through Wednesday, posing an extreme threat of flash flooding and landslides. Life-threatening storm surges of up to 13 feet are also expected along Jamaica’s southern coast.
“This level of flooding will destroy communities,” warned Desmond Mackenzie, Jamaica’s Minister of Local Government and Community Development. “Many areas will not survive this flooding if people do not take the warnings seriously.”
Urgent Calls for Evacuation
All shelters across Jamaica were activated by Sunday afternoon, housing at least 280 people. Evacuation buses have been stationed in flood-prone areas, though officials report that many residents are reluctant to leave.
“There has always been a hesitancy when evacuation orders are given,” said Daryl Vaz, Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications, and Transport. “Do not take this one lightly. This may be the one.”
In Port Royal, longtime resident Margaret Barkes, a lupus patient, said she was one of the few to board an evacuation bus. “Even though I have my medication, I’m not taking any chances,” she said. “But to be honest, if it weren’t for my condition, I probably would have stayed. People here just aren’t afraid.”
Widespread Preparations
Across the island, communities and businesses spent Sunday reinforcing structures and safeguarding property. In Ocho Rios, hotels stacked sandbags and blocked off vulnerable areas, while at Hope Zoo in Kingston, staff secured outdoor exhibits and relocated animals indoors to protect more than 1,500 species from the storm’s impact.
The storm has already claimed at least four lives in the Caribbean — three in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic. In the Dominican Republic, authorities reported 82 people in shelters and nine rescued from rising waters.
Flights Grounded, Tourists Stranded
All international airports in Jamaica have been closed, leaving some tourists stranded as the storm approaches. The U.S. Embassy in Kingston has urged American citizens to “shelter in place and contact loved ones,” adding that it will operate for “emergency services only” through the week.
Miami resident Nicole Doyon, who was attending a yoga retreat in Montego Bay, said she and two friends are waiting out the storm at their villa. “Our family is working overtime to find a way to get us home,” Doyon said. “The villa staff put us in a safe room with water and food, so we’re in the best situation we could be in right now.”
The group has rebooked flights for Wednesday, depending on when the Montego Bay airport reopens. “Worst-case or best-case scenario, we get out Wednesday,” Doyon said.
As Jamaica braces for Melissa’s arrival, officials continue to urge residents to heed evacuation orders, secure their homes, and prepare for prolonged power outages and severe flooding.
“This storm is life-threatening,” Minister Mackenzie warned. “If you can move to safety, do it now. Tomorrow may be too late.”
